Hi Angela,

Thanks for writing to us. I have sent your question over to our career coaches and legal experts who will get back to you soon. In the meantime, I would suggest checking out the following resources if you haven't already:

- Managing Treatment Side Effects: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/at-work/Managing-Treatment-Side-Effects
-Working Through Treatment webinar (July 8th): http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/community/events/webinar-treatment

Our webinars are available to for viewing post-event, you can find all of the Balancing Work & Cancer webinars that have happened this year on our site here: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/community/videos/BWC-2015

I hope that this is helpful, please let us know if you have more questions.

Best,

Sarah, Manager of Programs, Cancer and Careers

Hi, Angela,

Sounds like you have some opportunities to continue your career growth in spite of your health challenges.   Good for you!

Long training programs like what you have mentioned are usually reserved for well respected employees, ones that management considers high potential.    So, its an honor to be selected, and it is important to try to attend as much of the training as possible, so that you gain all the knowledge you can from the event.

That said, many times individuals enrolled in long training programs also have alternate work or personal commitments on a day or two of the classes.  When I was leading leadership classes for Federal government agencies, or corporations, it was not unusual for a participant to approach me at the start of the training program to request a day or two to fulfill these other commitments.   An hour or two would not be out of line at all, in my experience.  Usually, I just spent a break period or two catching the individual up on the assignments or topics covered, and they asked colleagues to share notes if the class was one in which note-taking made sense.  In experiential type courses, such as scenario or game-based training, it was a bit harder for a participant to catch up, but as long as they worked with me in accordance with agency training policies, my facilitator colleagues and I were usually able to accommodate their needs. I did not have to know the exact nature of their other commitment, just that they were managing their own time as any professional would and that they respected the policies enough to ask ahead of time for that time off. 

So, it really is a good idea to check on your firm's policies regarding attendance at training programs.   Will you be violating those policies by taking some time out of the training?  If this is the case, then you may choose to request a reasonable accommodation from your supervisor or corporate HR department to enable you to be available for chemo and the important career training.  You may wish to check with your physician who can give you a letter explaining your circumstances, then speak confidentially to your HR rep. This is information that your supervisor and HR department must hold in confidence, while enabling you to take advantage of any accommodations that your firm may offer during your treatment and recovery.   Remember, though, they cannot give you accommodations unless they know what is going on for you that requires such supports.   Our legal experts are planning to weigh in on this specific aspect of your concern, so do wait to hear what they have to say, OK?

You also raised the issue of side effects of chemo potentially impacting your ability to continue or complete the training.  One of the best things you can do as you think through this possibility would be to talk with your oncologist and medical team to request timing that minimizes your work downtime, and information and support for possible side effects- either with medications or alternative therapies that can minimize them. Planning ahead with your physicians can really help alleviate your uncertainty and give you coping strategies for treatment related things that may interfere with this important career event.

Finally, it is possible that you may choose to postpone your enrollment in the training program until your treatment is farther along, or you are solidly in recovery.   This is a choice only you will know to make, in consultation with those whom you trust, both in your medical team, and your workplace.   

In any case, I applaud your resilience and your determination to get through your cancer treatment with as little disruption to normal life as possible.

Wishing your my very best,

Kathy Flora, Career Coach